Twenty-four telecom operators have formed an alliance to build an open
platform that will deliver applications to all mobile phone users in an
effort to compete with Apple's (AAPL.O) successful apps store.

The move is supported by three of the world's largest device makers --
LG Electronics, Samsung and Sony Ericsson, the telecoms industry body
GSM Association said on Monday at the Mobile World Congress in
Barcelona.

But analysts were sceptical whether so many operators could work
together efficienctly and noted that it was difficult to compete with
the strength of Apple's brand.

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